FACE TRIALS WITH JOY
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.22 (James 1:1- 12)
Satan knows that when you recognize him as the source of your temptation, he loses his advantage. He knows that when you understand he initiated the temptation, you’ll recoil from it faster than if you think you yourself are the source of it. If Satan approached you and said, “I’ve come to make you sin and feel condemned,” your vulnerability to his temptations would evaporate! He won’t tell you that—but if you remember it you’ll have the advantage over him. As Paul puts it, “We are not ignorant about Satan’s scheming” (2Co 2:11 GWT). Another misperception is that temptation is time lost and effort wasted. In long periods of temptation we feel like we’ve lost ground rather than gained it. No, withstanding temptation is “[fighting] the good fight of faith” (1Ti 6:12), and that’s when God develops your character. “When all kinds of…temptations crowd into your lives…Realize that they come to…produce in you the quality of endurance,” and when that happens, “you will find you have become men [and women] of mature character” (James 1:2-4). Indeed, your compensation goes far beyond your present development to the reaping of eternal rewards. “Though now for a season…ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith…might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1Pe 1:6-7). Add to this God’s glorious guarantee: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation…he shall receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own23 evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;24 and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.25 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak35 and slow to become angry, for man's anger36 does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
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